GBR 420s represented at Dutch Youths....but in an Optimist!

The Dutch Youths is underway at Workum. We have a veritable team there, Josh Voller (last seen in a 420 at the RYA Youths) racing his Oppie, Tim Saxton (coach and 'our' captain of Exeter Uni) and Carla Stanley (Oppie Euros Team Manager and 420 correspondent-at-large), but, sadly, no 420s!

It is a pity that the Dutch Youths conflicts with exams and stuff as it has been growing in popularity internationally in recent years and is attracting another ten more boats this year. The field includes several entries for the ISAF Youth Worlds in Zadar. Some were at CIMA in France and are moving on to Kieler Woche. On Day 1, Linda Fahrni & Maja Siegenthaler (SUI), last year’s winners, were leading, followed by Kiara Tsunoda & Ayano Furuya (JPN) – last seen at the 2011 Worlds in Buenos Aires) - see the ISAF report on JSAF, the impact of the tsunami and the JSAF Campaign Sets Sail To ISAF Youth Worlds - and Floris & Laurens van de Werken, the Dutch leading team.

See official news and results (bit slow and difficulty to read, so far!) at Event Website and more coverage on the International Class. Meanwhile, Carla is ‘feeding’ the GBR (Oppie) Euros blog, if not the sailors - lots about sailor feeding and hydration issues mentioned, but also building wind on Friday morning – and Tom Saxton’s PhotoGallery.

Great news service from the Dutch 420 President too (see Day 1 & 2 reports). Apparently, we have one other interest in the 420 racing at Workum – Ben Saxton’s old boat is now sailing under a NED flag!